You’d have expected such news to come from the Prius-loving state of California[2], but it’s actually Massachusetts that has announced that it is going to make life easier for its EV drivers by installing 100 new charging stations[3]! The project, which is expected to cost $200,000, requires local towns and cities to apply for selection over the next 60 days. Not only will it benefit those with hybrids and electric cars, but battery manufacturing companies as well. Massachusetts actually has a large amount of lithium ion battery manufacturers including Boston-Power Inc. of Westborough[4] which creates batteries for Saab electric cars and A123 Systems Inc.[5]which is developing battery systems for BMW.

“Electric vehicle technology is a significant way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand our clean energy economy, but it will only be adopted by consumers if there are places where vehicles can be re-charged away from home,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles in the announcement. “This pilot program is a critical step in helping our communities and citizens prepare for the entry of electric vehicles to the Massachusetts market in 2011.”

Ironically the bulk of the funding for this project has come from a 2007 settlement over alleged pollution control equipment violations at 11 fossil fuelled power plants operated by Ohio-based firm, American Electric Power Service Corp.[6] The fines will now be used to pay for the 100 EV charging stations. Poetic justice, eh?